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Zanaflex vs. Soma

Are Zanaflex and Soma the Same Thing?

Zanaflex (tizanidine hydrochloride) and Soma (carisoprodol) are muscle relaxants used to treat muscle tightness and cramping (spasm) associated with painful muscle conditions.

Side effects of Zanaflex and Soma that are similar include nervousness, stomach pain or upset, vomiting, drowsiness, and dizziness.

Side effects of Zanaflex that are different from Soma include anxiety, numbness or tingling, diarrhea, constipation, fever, dry mouth, muscle weakness, back pain, increased muscle tone or spasms, sweating, skin rash, and fatigue.

Side effects of Soma that are different from Zanaflex include agitation, tremor, headache, irritability, inability to sleep (insomnia), blurred vision, depression, nausea, and hiccups.

Both Zanaflex Soma and may interact with alcohol.

Zanaflex may also interact with acyclovir, cimetidine, famotidine, ticlopidine, zileuton, birth control pills, antibiotics, blood pressure medications, or heart rhythm medications.

Soma may also interact with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing (narcotics, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, or medicines for anxiety or seizures).

Do not stop using Zanaflex or Soma suddenly after long-term use, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Zanaflex?

Common side effects of Zanaflex include:

  • anxiousness,
  • nervousness,
  • numbness or tingling,
  • stomach pain,
  • diarrhea,
  • constipation,
  • vomiting,
  • fever,
  • dry mouth,
  • drowsiness,
  • dizziness,
  • muscle weakness,
  • back pain,
  • increased muscle tone or spasms,
  • sweating,
  • skin rash, and
  • fatigue.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Soma?

Common side effects of Soma include:

  • Drowsiness
  • Dizziness
  • Agitation
  • Nervousness
  • Tremor
  • Headache
  • Irritability
  • Inability to sleep (insomnia)
  • Blurred vision
  • Depression
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Upset stomach
  • Hiccups

What Is Zanaflex?

Zanaflex is used to treat conditions such as multiple sclerosis or spinal injury.

What Is Soma?

Soma (carisoprodol) is a muscle relaxant used for short-term relief of discomfort associated with painful muscle conditions.

 

What Drugs Interact With Zanaflex?

Zanaflex may interact with alcohol. Zanaflex may also interact with different drugs including acyclovir, cimetidine, amotidine, ticlopidine, zileuton, birth control pills, antibiotics, blood pressure medications, or heart rhythm medications.

What Drugs Interact With Soma?

Soma interacts with other agents that slow the brain's processes, such as alcohol, barbiturates, benzodiazepines (for example, lorazepam [Ativan]), and narcotics. There are no adequate studies of Soma in pregnant women. Soma accumulates in breast milk in concentrations 2-4 times the concentration in the mother's blood. The effects of Soma on the infants of lactating mothers are unknown. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding. Soma may cause dependence and is associated with withdrawal symptoms.

 

How Should Zanaflex Be Taken?

Zanaflex should be taken exactly as prescribed (consistently either with or without food) and not to switch between tablets and capsules. Inform patients that they should not take more Zanaflex than prescribed because of the risk of adverse events at single doses greater than 8 mg or total daily doses greater than 36 mg. Tell patients that they should not suddenly discontinue Zanaflex, because rebound hypertension and tachycardia may occur.

How Should Soma Be Taken?

The recommended dose of Soma is 250-350 mg three times a day and at bedtime.